busy, busy!

The running shoes are on the bench! I ran too hard, too fast, and too long! Growing older is full of surprises! I am going to try again this spring and take it slower and enjoy it just the same!

This is why we love to go to the Wallowa Mts! And why we stayed an extra night!

The first Valentine's party for the kindergartners, and it was delightful! They are so adorable opening all their "mail" and shouting out "thank yous" to everyone. It is one of my favorite classroom party!

Doing math with candy hearts. At this age they don"t even bother to read the words on the hearts, and they all know how to read! They just want to know if they guessed right; were there mostly purple hearts, or green?

Cousins, what a treat!

Kayte and Brooklyn came to play today! They had so much fun together I may have to give this combination another go around!

Honestly, there is just no substitute for a cousin!

Welcoming Isabelle!

Paula here. We spent Sunday afternoon in CDA at Aunt Julie's home celebrating little Isabelle and her very happy mom Sara! Not to mention two happy grandmas, and one very blessed great-grandma!

Here is our Aunt Julie laying out the spread, prepared by Terra and Sharah.

Opening gifts. Lots of girly stuff! Lots of fun!

Sara's mom with little Isabelle Valentine.

Aunt Julie with her newest grandbaby. So sweet!
Isabelle is number 83 of our ever-growing family, starting with my Grandma and Grandpa Dowers! That's a lot of family from just two!
These showers are always the best! There is always great food and all of the cousins and aunts and it is crazy and loud and happy and fun! What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Oh, my goodness, Sara is actually asleep, I didn't know that! Well, it was the end of four days at the cabin! Ben's awake, he did great! Stayed right on the schedule Paula said he would; slept, ate, played and slept again, piece of cake, so was Sara!

New running shoes! Kelly and her running group inspired me get back to running, one of my favorite hobbies! Well, I haven't been for a run in a very long time, but I took to the road for a trial run. I don't know how far I ran, but I came home and plopped on the couch. I thought I was going die! I tried it again the next day and guess what? It felt good! I have missed it! My knees hurt, but they are older after all! Thanks, Kelly and friends, keep running! I might!